Divock Origi made a telling impact for Liverpool, who eked out a narrow 1-0 win over Wolves at the Molineux on Saturday.
It was a game wherein clear-cut chances came few and far between, as Wolverhampton Wanderers defended with stubbornness and resolve. In fact, neither team had a shot on target in the opening period, with Diogo Jota wasting two openings while Wolves also had a couple of chances going begging.
However, the biggest goalscoring opportunity was created by Andrew Robertson, only for his low cross to evade everyone. The game picked up the intensity post the interval, becoming an end-to-end affair, with both teams coming close to breaking the deadlock. However, Jota’s miss with the goal at his mercy was truly bizarre.
But, just when it looked liked Wolves had done enough to keep Liverpool at bay and earn a 0-0 draw, Divock Origi produced a fine turn and finish to break the deadlock in the final minute of the game and earn Liverpool all three points. With Chelsea losing to West Ham United earlier in the day, the Reds have overtaken the Blues in the standings. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Alisson Becker: 7/10
Alisson did not have a lot of glovework to do. However, the save he made was critical in ensuring he kept a clean sheet while his forays off his goalline helped alleviate the pressure smartly. Such a top-class performer for Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7/10
Alexander-Arnold might have somehow volleyed his shot off target in the first half, but he created plenty of chances in the game, laying on four key passes. While there was some sloppiness on the ball, the youngster was a potent outlet for the Reds and deserved an assist from the game.
Joel Matip: 7/10
It is not every day that Matip is better than Virgil van Dijk in a Liverpool game. Saturday was one such rare day as the Cameroonian was a rock-solid customer at the heart of the Liverpool defence, winning ten duels while completing two clearances and three tackles. He also helped Liverpool build up play from the back smartly, hardly ever losing possession.
Virgil van Dijk: 6/10
For the most part in the game, van Dijk provided a solid presence at the heart of the Liverpool defence. However, there was one moment wherein he was caught out of position and needed Alisson to bail him out. Nevertheless, the Dutchman was solid, winning each duel he contested while also completing 92 per cent of his attempted passes.
Andrew Robertson: 7/10
Robertson yet again proved to be the better of the two full-backs and should have had an assist in this game, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah inexplicably missing the low cross he sent into the six-yard area. He won four fuels while completing a tackle as well.
Jordan Henderson: 5/10
It was a rare disappointing performance by Henderson, who could not influence the proceedings as much as he does on his best days. The Liverpool captain’s first-time passes missed their targets, and he also struggled to provide a solid base in the middle of the park. A rare blip, perhaps.
Fabinho: 6/10
Often one of the standout performers for Liverpool, Fabinho was not quite at his best on Saturday. The Brazilian midfielder was overrun a few times in the middle of the park and he was also a bit wasteful with the ball at his feet. However, he did make some important contributions in the defensive phases, completing three interceptions and two tackles.
Thiago Alcantara: 8/10
Thiago has been one of Liverpool’s best players since the end of the international break, and he continued his fine run of form against Wolves. The Spanish international showed remarkable quality on the ball and even came close to scoring in the first half. He also put in the hard yards off the ball, completing two interceptions and two tackles.
Mohamed Salah: 7/10
Mohamed Salah has now been directly involved in 150 Premier League goals for Liverpool.
◎ 160 games
◉ 108 goals
◉ 42 assistsA mind-blowing record. ? pic.twitter.com/XGJGNOyDRL
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 4, 2021
Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane endured off days on Saturday, but Salah made his mark on the game. The Egyptian looked like the only Liverpool player capable of scoring a goal right till the dying embers of the game. In the end, he managed an assist for Divock Origi’s strike to complete 150 direct involvements to a strike in the Premier League.
Diogo Jota: 4/10
Jota has been in impeccable touch in recent games and had scored six goals in as many starts of late. However, Saturday’s outing was one to forget for the Portuguese international, who missed three decent chances to score. However, the worst of the lot came in the second half when he aimed his effort straight at Conor Coady with the goal at his mercy as Jose Sa was stranded. One of the worst misses in the history of the game.
Sadio Mane: 5/10
It was a rare evening wherein Mane did not impress one bit. While the Senegalese attacker was typically busy off the ball, he did not see much of the possession and managed to muster only one shot in the game. Unfortunately, he had his effort saved from close range after being in ample space to score.
SUBSTITUTES
Divock Origi: 8/10
Divock Origi has now scored three Premier League goals in stoppage time:
◉ 90+6’ equaliser vs. West Brom
◉ 90+6’ winner vs. Everton
◉ 90+4’ winner vs. WolvesAnother important late goal for Jürgen Klopp. ? pic.twitter.com/DIR8r7n50Z
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 4, 2021
Introduced in place of Henderson, Origi was purposeful in his display and was visibly keen on making a difference. That is exactly what he did in the final minute of the game, as, after receiving the ball from Salah, he produced a brilliant turn to open up space before beating Jose Sa to score the winner. What an asset he has been for Liverpool.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: N/A
On for Jota, Oxlade-Chamberlain hardly saw the ball late the game and did not influence the proceedings at all.
James Milner: N/A
A late introduction, Milner was on the pitch for the game’s final seconds.
